Evidence supporting the use of: Rue
For the health condition: Headache (sinus)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Rue (Ruta graveolens) has been traditionally used in various folk medicine systems, including those of Europe and the Middle East, for treating headaches and sinus-related discomforts. Its leaves were often made into poultices or infusions, believed to relieve pain and congestion due to their aromatic and purported anti-inflammatory properties. Historical herbal texts, such as those from the Greco-Roman period and Medieval European herbals, mention rue as a remedy for "head pains" and "catarrh," which could correspond to sinus headaches in modern terminology.

However, scientific validation for the use of rue specifically in sinus headache is lacking. Modern pharmacological studies have focused on other properties of rue, such as its antispasmodic and antimicrobial effects, but there is minimal direct research connecting rue to headache or sinus relief in clinical trials. Most of the evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional use, rather than systematic investigation. Rue also contains compounds (e.g., furanocoumarins) that can be toxic or cause skin sensitivity, so its use is generally not recommended without professional guidance.

In summary, rue's application for sinus headaches is rooted in traditional medicine, with little to no robust scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for this specific indication.

More about rue
More about Headache (sinus)

Products containing rue

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.